(Names will be in Japanese name order in this review. This means that the last name will be ahead of the first name. Single names are the first names.)

Crybaby, lazy, clumsy, and underachiever. Certainly not the characteristics of a normal protagonist. However, Tsukino Usagi fits those exact words. The first volume of Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon by Takeuchi Naoko. This manga is often considered to be the cornerstone for modern day ‘magical girl’ mangas due to the dynamics (both personality wise and fighting scene wise) that weren’t seen until its time.

Don’t be turned off from this series because of the dubbed version of the TV show. And if you watched it in its original form, read this anyway. The manga is the original, uncut version that goes above and beyond in terms of symbolism and plot (lots of references to Greek mythology and a plot that thickens more than the anime would be able to).

Many things were very powerful, including Usagi’s forbidden love. A big theme that’s spotted in this part is “Is your heart supposed to be followed more than your duty?” We see forbidden love in all kinds of things, but Naoko’s connection to "something deeper" and something that’s just barely untouched renews the idea and makes it more interesting and a powerful plot element.

The first book does a great job introducing the characters and their array of personalities, part of what makes the series so interesting. Bishoujo senshi Sailor Moon (or, just Sailor Moon) is a shoujo manga (so manga aimed at girls) classic and is a definite thing to add to your reading list.